Boise State Broncos running back Alexander Mattison (22) is tackled by Air Force Falcons defensive back Jeremy Fejedelem (2) in the second quarter at Falcon Stadium. Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Boise State Broncos running back Alexander Mattison (22) is tackled by Air Force Falcons defensive back Jeremy Fejedelem (2) in the second quarter at Falcon Stadium.
Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY Sports

Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) scrambles for a first down in front of California Golden Bears linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (59) during the first quarter of a game at California Memorial Stadium. D. Ross Cameron, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) scrambles for a first down in front of California Golden Bears linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk (59) during the first quarter of a game at California Memorial Stadium.
D. Ross Cameron, USA TODAY Sports

Houston Cougars running back Mulbah Car (34) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the South Florida Bulls at TDECU Stadium. Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Houston Cougars running back Mulbah Car (34) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the South Florida Bulls at TDECU Stadium.
Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State Spartans quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) and offensive tackle Luke Campbell (62) celebrate after a touchdown during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium. Mike Carter, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Michigan State Spartans quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) and offensive tackle Luke Campbell (62) celebrate after a touchdown during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium.
Mike Carter, USA TODAY Sports

Maryland Terrapins players take a knee in front of late teammate Jordan McNair's number before the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Maryland Terrapins players take a knee in front of late teammate Jordan McNair's number before the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium.
Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Massachusetts Minutemen running back Marquis Young (8) makes the catch and runs the ball against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Massachusetts Minutemen running back Marquis Young (8) makes the catch and runs the ball against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.
David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Hakeem Butler (18) catches a pass for the touchdown late in the fourth quarter as Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Damarcus Fields (23) makes a late attempt for the tackle at Jack Trice Stadium. Reese Strickland, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Hakeem Butler (18) catches a pass for the touchdown late in the fourth quarter as Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Damarcus Fields (23) makes a late attempt for the tackle at Jack Trice Stadium.
Reese Strickland, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Utah Utes running back Armand Shyne (6) looks to the sideline after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Utah Utes running back Armand Shyne (6) looks to the sideline after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl.
Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports

Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) runs the ball while defended by UCLA Bruins defensive back Nate Meadors (22) during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) runs the ball while defended by UCLA Bruins defensive back Nate Meadors (22) during the second half at the Rose Bowl.
Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports

UCLA Bruins defensive back Adarius Pickett (6) dives after muffing a punt as Utah Utes defensive back Terrell Burgess (26) dives for the ball during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

UCLA Bruins defensive back Adarius Pickett (6) dives after muffing a punt as Utah Utes defensive back Terrell Burgess (26) dives for the ball during the first half at the Rose Bowl.
Kelvin Kuo, USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Jacob Huff (2) celebrates with defensive back Jordan Howden (23) after intercepting a pass in the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at TCF Bank Stadium. Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Jacob Huff (2) celebrates with defensive back Jordan Howden (23) after intercepting a pass in the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at TCF Bank Stadium.
Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Virginia Tech wide receiver Hezekiah Grimeley jumped into the stands with the keydets prior to the game against Georgia Tech at Lane Stadium. Lee Luther Jr., USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

Virginia Tech wide receiver Hezekiah Grimeley jumped into the stands with the keydets prior to the game against Georgia Tech at Lane Stadium.
Lee Luther Jr., USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia safety Toyous Avery Jr. (3) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the first quarter against Baylor at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

West Virginia safety Toyous Avery Jr. (3) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the first quarter against Baylor at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia wide receiver David Sills V (13) catches a pass while defended by Baylor's defensive back Kalon Barnes (27) during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

West Virginia wide receiver David Sills V (13) catches a pass while defended by Baylor's defensive back Kalon Barnes (27) during the second quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia quarterback Will Grier (7) throws a pass during the first quarter against Baylor at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

West Virginia quarterback Will Grier (7) throws a pass during the first quarter against Baylor at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia wide receiver Gary Jennings Jr. (12) celebrates with teammate David Sills V (13) after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Baylor at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports

Best of college football Week 9

West Virginia wide receiver Gary Jennings Jr. (12) celebrates with teammate David Sills V (13) after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against Baylor at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Ben Queen, USA TODAY Sports

With wins by four of the bottom five teams -- none playing each other -- in our rankings last week, reshuffling (10 of 12 teams are in new spots) is a messy proposition that will leave those hoping for a bigger boost unhappy. All I can say to that is good things eventually will come those who keep winning.

Jeff Metcalfe ranks all 12 teams in the conference after the ninth week of the season.

12. Oregon State (2-6, 1-4 Pac-12)

There are multiple contenders for biggest upset of the week but for me nothing surpassed the Beavers coming back not just from a 49-7 pummeling by Cal on Oct. 20 but a 31-3 third-quarter deficit to beat Colorado 41-34 in overtime. The return of QB Jake Luton was an incredible way for Oregon State to pick up its first Pac-12 win since 2016 but not enough to escape our rankings cellar. No change from last week. Up next: Saturday vs. USC (4-4, 3-3).

11. UCLA (2-6, 2-3)

The Bruins seemed to be heading up off wins over Cal and Arizona then along comes surging Utah to inflict a 41-10 shellacking that keeps the rebuilding job for Chip Kelly in perspective. The Utes rushed for 325 yards. ""We didn't tackle well in the first half, didn't tackle well in the second half," not a good combination, said Kelly, now facing a return to former home Oregon. Down two places from last week. Up next: Saturday at Oregon (5-3, 2-3).

10. California (5-3, 2-3)

The Bears regressed offensively from the game before against Oregon State, but that was to be expected vs. Washington. What mattered was that they managed to out-defense the Huskies, winning 12-10 in a game with one offensive touchdown combined. Cal coach Justin Wilcox once was Washington's defensive coordinator. Up one place from last week. Up next: Saturday at No. 11 Washington State (7-1, 4-1).

7. USC (4-4, 3-3)

Lose to ASU, lose a coach is becoming something of a USC tradition. This time, after falling 38-35, the casualty was offensive line coach Neil Callaway with head coach Clay Helton taking over play calling from offensive coordinator Tee Martin. It's unclear if first-team QB JT Daniels will be back from a concussion that kept him out vs. ASU. Down one place from last week. Up next: Saturday at Oregon State (2-6 1-4).

4. Washington (6-3, 4-2)

The No. 19 Huskies are arguably the Pac-12's biggest disappointment, fading from preseason No. 6 to hanging on in the Amway coaches poll and out in the AP poll. Still if Washington wins out, it will capture the North division with a chance to play in the Rose Bowl. But will Jake Browning return at quarterback after being benched? Down one place from last week. Up next: Saturday vs. Stanford (5-3, 3-2).

1. Washington State (7-1, 4-1)

ESPN now has Cougars QB Gardner Minshew No. 4 on its Heisman Trophy watch top 10, which says everything about how the grad transfer has elevated a team that began the season concerned about inexperience while turning his mustache into Pullman's hottest Halloween costume. Minshew was 40-of-50 for 438 yards and 3 touchdowns in the win over Stanford. No change from last week. Up next: Saturday vs. California (5-3, 2-3).

Week 9: A fan wears the Georgia Southern Eagles mascot head after finding it on the ground after defeating the team defeated the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Allen E. Paulson Stadium. Adam Hagy, USA TODAY Sports

Cash Schimmer, 4, of Eugene, Oregon, plays a game of cornhole with his family before the start of a game between the Oregon Ducks and Bowling Green Flacons at Autzen Stadium. Troy Wayrynen, USA TODAY Sports